keep in mind that fort had a lot of active players who could heal/sanc/cry/gate and the manticore is not an onslaught damage form. So its tough for villagers because it can keep on them and they can't retreat but other people have little trouble using word/teleport to avoid dieing to the form.

And before that he was dillo/porquipine a form combo anyone could beat one on one simply by wearing a staff.